Why do people hate America?

[nigel99 619]

With the ongoing saga in Zimbabwe I have been spending alot of time on a forum that monitors events there and what has shocked me is the level of hatred against the US (or as they commonly spell is AmeriKKKa).

A couple of US freaks don't help the situation by becoming mascots of the hate the US cause - a couple of links below that seem to be a favourite...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PpMdTmVMpo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMaaDbGgsKA

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

[Skyrad 0]

Why do people hate America?
Good question, I think most people who claim to hate america have never been there and most likely have either had no or little contact with americans.
So why the hatred or resentment then. How then are they judging america? I believe that in most cases it boils down to the following reasons

1) The USA's expansionist forigen policies

2) The USA's economic policies that result in the suffering and in potentially the deaths of many for the gain of the few.

2) The USA's cultral empire building

3) What many in the world see as rank hypocracy of a nation that declares itself to be the land of the free which then allies itself with some of the most oppresive nations on earth.

4) The USA's governments sanction of murder for political means and the use of torture whilst claiming to be the upholder of liberty.

5) That dispite making up something like 2% of the world population america consumes 25% of the world resources.

6) That the USA portarys itself via Hollywood to be a unwholsome and sick country.

Thats why I think some people hate America.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Lefty 0]

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Why do people hate America?
Good question, I think most people who claim to hate america have never been there and most likely have either had no or little contact with americans.
So why the hatred or resentment then. How then are they judging america? I believe that in most cases it boils down to two reasons

1) The USA's expansionist forigen policies

2) The USA's economic policies that result in the suffering and in potentially the deaths of many for the gain of the few.

2) The USA's cultral empire building

3) What many in the world see as rank hypocracy of a nation that declares itself to be the land of the free which then allies itself with some of the most oppresive nations on earth.

4) The USA's governments sanction of murder for political means and the use of torture whilst claiming to be the upholder of liberty.

5) That dispite making up something like 2% of the world population america consumes 25% of the world resources.

6) That the USA portarys itself via Hollywood to be a unwholsome and sick country.

Thats why I think some people hate America.

And the third(?) reason: jealousy. We're on top, they're not.

Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful.
-Calvin

[Skyrad 0]

I think that is a egocentric blinkered excuse for not looking at the real problems. I don't know and have never met anyone who is jelous of america. if people genuinly believe that then I'd suggest that they have a very limited experience of life outside their borders.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[JackC 0]

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And the third(?) reason: jealousy. We're on top, they're not.

Possibly, but crowing about it definitely pisses people off.

[rushmc 23]

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I think that is a egocentric blinkered excuse for not looking at the real problems. I don't know and have never met anyone who is jelous of america. if people genuinly believe that then I'd suggest that they have a very limited experience of life outside their borders.

And I believe arrogance only allows you to think only you know what the "real" problems are.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Skyrad 0]

I don't, I'm certain that there are many who would agree with me. Besides, those are your words not mine. Its not arrogance to have an opinion.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[rushmc 23]

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I don't, I'm certain that there are many who would agree with me. Besides, those are your words not mine. Its not arrogance to have an opinion.

True, they are my words but, my responce and opinion were based on your words. (that to which I reblied not your stated resons)

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[rushmc 23]

Your post indicated that YOU know the real reasons. That is what I replied to, you know, what YOU said

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Skyrad 0]

I'm fully aware of what I said and I stand by it as its based on fact and observational study.


Just one example of point two,

http://www.newstatesman.com/200804170025

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[rushmc 23]

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I'm fully aware of what I said and I stand by it as its based on fact and observational study.

As will I for the SAME reasons (as shown within this thread)

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Skyrad 0]

Where is your supporting evidence? Your laughable assertation that you know what I think better than I do is not evidence.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[rushmc 23]

I do not know how you think but I do know what YOU posted and here it is.

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I think that is a egocentric blinkered excuse for not looking at the real problems.

Would you not agree that this statement (by you) would indicate that YOU know what the real problems are?

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Skyrad 0]

Two seperate issues, firstly by saying that using jelousy as a reason is a excuse for not looking at the real reasons doe not mean that my resons are the correct ones.
However of course I believe that my reasons are amoung the real reasons or otherwise I wouldn't be saying that they are what I believe the real reasons are
I am not saying that they are the only reasons but I have never met anyone who was jelous of america or being an american. To believe so simply is a way of saying "we're so great that that must be why people hate us, which is virtually a diffinative example of egotism and is a lazy approach to a complex matter.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[rushmc 23]

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Two seperate issues, firstly by saying that using jelousy as a reason is a excuse for not looking at the real reasons doe not mean that my resons are the correct ones. bull shit, you use this to discount what some one else believe is a valid reason
However of course I believe that my reasons are amoung the real reasons or otherwise I wouldn't be saying that they are what I believe the real reasons are
I am not saying that they are the only reasons but I have never met anyone who was jelous of america or being an american. To believe so simply is a way of saying "we're so great that that must be why people hate us, which is virtually a diffinative example of egotism.

Jelousy does not maifest in a "jelous" reaction. It comes out more as an anger for which other reasons are used.

How about a twist on another statement you make here. I believe egotism is the only reason someone thinks a belief or problem has to be complex.

And for the most part, I have found reasons and issues are usually much more simple than many want to admit.

Comes from my training

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Skyrad 0]

No comment

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[nigel99 619]

No it is definately not jealousy.

Believe it or not the "popular" consensus that comes across is that the US are loud bullies that can't match their rhetoric. A simple example of this is the misunderstanding of how the UN works. During the 1st gulf war - Saddam was a hero in parts of the world because to quote "he is so powerfull all the western nations need to gather together to fight him". This is from first hand experience.

Skyrad is correct in that people who go to the US - tend to change their views: I did.

US tourists and the public image tend to rub people up the wrong way for some reason. I think this is partly due to a sometimes condescending approach that is taken - another example either here or on BBC comments section an american claimed that 'only' the US has free press and that even the UK was censored as the BBC is a public broadcaster.

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

[Lefty 0]

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And the third(?) reason: jealousy. We're on top, they're not.

Possibly, but crowing about it definitely pisses people off.

Just responding to the question.

Provoking a reaction isn't the same thing as saying something meaningful.
-Calvin

[rushmc 23]

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No comment

Like I am surprised

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[SpeedRacer 1]

Right. American foreign policy has absolutely NOTHING to do with it.

They're just jealous of us, that's all!

Speed Racer
--------------------------------------------------

[shropshire 0]

Also, some folks just plain don't need a reason

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[nerdgirl 0]

Thanks for the additional information on the Zimbabwe elections and subseqeunt events.

VR/Marg

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[Skyrad 0]

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Also, some folks just plain don't need a reason

And thats also true.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[rushmc 23]

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Right. American foreign policy has absolutely NOTHING to do with it.

They're just jealous of us, that's all!

Please, show me where I posted that?

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[rwieder 0]

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Why do people hate America?

Because the U.S. Government believes if everyone is not living in a democratic society, then we should take it upon ourselves to convert them. We've become the very thing we fought so hard against in the 50's & 60's. Communism, socialism, dictatorship.

At the present time we are fighting an illegal war in iraq. Why is it illegal? The Pres. did not have Congressional approval, the US did not have UN concensus to go to war. The very reason the UN was formed (Yesterday, 50 Years ago) was to keep any country from declaring war on another country without consultation with every country who is a member of the UN.

We destroyed Iraq's government by removing Sadaam, (Yeah, Yeah i know he was a mean hombre, but we gave him every weapon he ever had, so he would help us control Iran at the time) we are now trying our best to impose democracy in that country. Sound familiar? It should, it's the same thing The USSR was trying to do years ago. There are many things going on in a lot of countries we don't even know about. We are still occupying many countries that do not want our presence there. We've been asked to leave these countries many times, we refuse to do so. When Sadaam gassed the Kurds, he killed approx 10,000 people. Hitler was personally responseable for killing 6 million Jews, and 7 million Russians. Kind of puts the 10,000 Kurds in perspective, doesn't it?

If Japan came over here and invaded our country, killed our President for genecide, or what ever, wouldn't you hate them, or at least hate what they were doing?

That's why 3rd world countries hate us. I've been there, the way the people look at you just cuts you to the soul, it hurts. I don't watch anything on U-Tube, the only reason i'm aware of it is because of my kids, and my grandchildren. Don't even watch that "Propaganda" it's just a means to a way of stirring up further hate, and discontent. Don't let other's cause you to be a participant to the overall problem.

Having said all of that, regardless of why we are doing what we are doing, i support our troops, i commend them for what they're doing. My sons have served in Iraq, the oldest doing 3 tours. I'm very proud of all of the U.S. Women & Men serving their country, regardless of whether they believe in what we're doing, that takes guts. God bless our troops.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"